Remote Edit in PhpStorm 9 EAP

One of the most demanded features in PhpStorm history is here! Individual files can now be opened directly from the remote host (such as FTP, SFTP or FTPS) and edited in the IDE, without adding/downloading them to the local project.

To start editing a file from a remote host instantly, double click the file name or select Edit Remote File from the file context menu:

The file will be opened in the PhpStorm editor instantly, without being added or downloaded to the local project. Note that for such files outside of any project, it’s not technically possible to provide all of PhpStorm’s features. Code completion is limited to standard PHP libs methods and those methods used in the edited file.

To take advantage of debugging, some of the refactorings, and other advanced features, consider including the file into a project.

When you work with a remote file, a special toolbar appears at the top of the editor:

Remote files can be easily distinguished from local ones by looking at the annotation, which includes the server name (in our case <JB FTP serv>).

When you are done editing the file, it can be uploaded to the remote host using the upload icon in the toolbar, or with the shortcut Alt+Shift+Q.

Changes introduced in this file can be easily reverted using the revert icon . Only changes made after the last upload will be reverted.

The currently opened file can be compared to the last uploaded version using the diff icon . The standard PhpStorm diff interface is used.

As we already mentioned, Remote Edit doesn’t add edited files to the project. This means that as soon as you close the file or the entire project, all changes will be discarded unless they are uploaded. Accordingly, a confirmation is presented on file and project exit so you don’t lose your work accidentally:

Remote Edit is still in progress, and there are many more improvements coming soon. Please have a look at all the related issues we are currently aware of.

Sweet! even easier to be a cowboy coder and editing directly in production!

John Delaney

Yeah I can’t think of a scenario where you’d need this feature where you wouldn’t just use a regular text editor, seeing as you’re losing the advantages of using an IDE.

Uli Hecht

In my case I want to quickly edit a generated php file in the cache of server just for debugging purposes. Normally I would either open the shell, cd to there and open vim or use an FTP client + separate editor. Additionally, there are files on the server that are different from my local files (e.g. database configuration). Great that I can quickly access them now from the IDE.

Gábor Molnár

We have very important development, because my developer servers not in local. (my databas(es) much more 100 Gb and files more 5 TB. (so vagrant and remote sync/mount solutions excluded)).

Павел

How to reassign double click on filename from “Edit remote file” to “Edit local file”?

averichev

Нашлось решение, как отключить удаленное редактирование?

Pavel Zotov

Нет, я уже привык

Kir Kerp

Присоединяюсь к вопросу.

Steven

Would be cool to be able to have a project open, perform a remote edit on a file, and code completion be available for it in relation to the open project (while still not adding it to the project itself).

Doug B

I think it would be nice to have a global history repository (or perhaps by server) for these remote files. Being able to undo or revert beyond the last upload will be a huge benefit. Definitely would keep me inside PHPStorm.

Alexandre Rodrigues Xavier

Bye bye vim.

http://cipriantepes.ro Ciprian Tepes

Nah, IdeaVim does quite a good job.

Vasik

This is really cool update! The last thing I’m missing is a FTP client that would work without having the files in project – I’d like just to drag&drop files from Finder to upload them…:)

http://bullshitapproved.com Jesper

Are there any way to upload changes on save ? I can’t seem to find it, that would definetly make the last bit of the cake

Marius Vetrici

+1
Need this as well…

David Baker

OH WOW! You guys did it!! thanks

rob-rr

Remote editing has been in Komodo IDE/Edid for a very ling time. Even with remote file syntax checking realtime.

Daniel

It’s a huge step, thank you very much for this new feature!

Unfortunately, it’s still not enought for me… I use remote edit for debugging in production, so it must be a fast operation. In other words, clicking in a “Upload” button is too much time when you’re putting out fire. And remembering another shortcut for saving when you’re in production is also not good. What would be perfect is to save using the same shortcut you use in the remain system.

So, here is a tip for everyone with the same problem: use WinSCP (or any other FTP client) to open your remote PHP file and associate the .php extension to PHPStorm. That way you can save your remote file directly with a simples CTRL+S.

obe

I’d be very careful with that.

PhpStorm saves files when losing focus (e.g. when alt+tabbing to another application). That will likely cause WinSCP to upload the file even if you haven’t finished editing it and that may not always be desirable. On a production server it could be disastrous, especially since you may not even be aware that the file has been saved and uploaded until the client calls to tell you the site is down…

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s only question of editing a single file for a quick edition need, no ? Is it possible to create a real project with source files located on remote server, coding directly on remote server, without downloading files and without having a local copy ?

Alex

How to disable remote editing feature?

Ruben Arevalo

Still trying to figure that out. If anyone knows please let us know!

Gábor Molnár

Good feature, but eclipse solution is better.

– Filter missing (like “symlink” from the subfolder(s) to top level folder)
– If i change remote server, then reload all folder structure and close all opened folders. (this slow down my working:-()
– how to close top warning message? (“the file identical to remote one” and changed but not uploaded message)
– Why don’t upload when press ctrl+s ? (or possible the set up, i changed shortcut ctrl+shift+s)

André Moura

Muito bom! Valeu!

http://atlcode.com Amy Bridges

Kind of useless without the ctrl+s save option… This approach would have been better to mount the ftp into the project and allow live edit’s form there.